The Kerala High Court has concluded the petition filed by Malayalam actor Dileep concerning the media’s coverage of the in-camera trial proceedings in the 2017 actress assault case, where he was listed as an accused. This legal action, formally known as P Gopalakrishnan @ Dileep v State of Kerala & ors, was reviewed by Justice Jobin Sebastian.
The public prosecutor informed the court that investigations into alleged media violations had concluded, with chargesheets filed in all five related criminal cases. Justice Sebastian noted, “When the matter was taken up today, learned counsel for the petitioner endorsed the earlier submissions made by the learned public prosecutor that after investigation, final reports have been filed in all the cases. The petitioner counsel further submitted that the purpose of this petition has hence been served. Recording said submission, this petition stands closed.”
Dileep, the 8th accused in the case, submitted the petition in 2022 after the trial’s commencement. His allegations centered on media outlets, including Reporter TV, purportedly breaching restrictions and publishing details that he claimed prejudiced his right to a fair trial, amounting to a ‘trial by media.’ He sought the High Court’s intervention to prevent media coverage until the trial’s conclusion.
However, while the petition was pending, Dileep was acquitted by the trial court in December 2025. Previously, the High Court had expressed skepticism about Dileep’s claims of rights violations but criticized the State’s delay in concluding the cybercrime investigations initiated in 2022, directing police for a prompt resolution.
Following the public prosecutor’s confirmation that all investigations were complete, the court decided to close Dileep’s petition. Representing Dileep were Senior Counsel T Krishnanunni, alongside advocates Philip T Varghese, Thomas T Varghese, Achu Shubha Abraham, Litha VT, Monisha KR, and Nitya R.
Dileep’s legal team, upon verifying the prosecution’s updates, agreed that the petition’s objectives had been achieved, leading to the case’s closure.
